Simultaneous detection of SERS and fluorescence using a single excitation for microbead-based analysis.

We demonstrate simultaneous detection of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and fluorescence signals from a silver microbead. For the dual signal generation, silver microbeads with a diameter of 15 microm were functionalized with benzenethiol (BT) as a Raman tag and a cardiac troponin I (cTnI) antibody on their surface. SERS and fluorescence signals were obtained using a single argon laser source with 488 nm wavelength.

Pulse push/pull hemodialysis in a canine renal failure model.

A new dialysis modality was devised to increase convective mass transfer. Blood and dialysate are circulated by a pulsatile pump, but with pulsatile flow patterns that are 180 degrees out of phase, which causes blood-to-dialysate pressure gradients to oscillate between positive and negative. In the present study, hemodialytic performance of the devised modality was investigated using a canine renal failure model.

Pulse push/pull hemodialysis: in vitro study on new dialysis modality with higher convective efficiency.

Midsize molecule retention is related with renal-failure-associated mortality. Here, the authors describe a new dialysis modality, pulse push/pull hemodialysis (PPPHD), which increases convective clearance. Blood and dialysate are circulated by a pulsatile pump, but with pulsatile flow patterns that are 180 degrees out of phase.

Hemodialysis using a valveless pulsatile blood pump.

Research on pulsatile blood pumps for extracorporeal life support has been widely performed because of the proven advantageous effects of blood pulsation. However, studies on the use of pulsatile blood pumps for hemodialysis are limited, although available evidence demonstrates that pulsatile blood flow has a positive influence on dialysis outcome. Therefore, the authors designed a new pulsatile pump, which is characterized by minimal-occlusion of blood-containing tubing, no requirement for valves, and no blood flow regurgitation.

Convection-enhanced high-flux hemodialysis.

Internal filtration contributes to convective clearance in high-flux hemodialysis but its contribution is limited by low pressure gradients. Therefore, a modification using a conventional dialyzer was conceived to enhance internal filtration and backfiltration (BF) rates. The modified dialyzer includes two longitudinal independent regions for blood flow, which were created by redesigning dialyzer caps.